Compositions comprising rebaudioside J

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides high purity rebaudioside J and methods of making high purity rebaudioside J. The application also provides the use of rebaudioside J as a sweetener, and in particular, the use in beverages.

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

The present application relates to high purity rebaudioside J and methods of making high purity rebaudioside J. The application also relates to the use of rebaudioside J as a sweetener, and in particular, as a sweetener in beverages.

BACKGROUND

Naturally occurring steviol glycosides are sweet-tasting compounds that can be extracted from the stevia plant. Typical stevia plant extract includes, in varying amounts, stevioside, steviolbioside, rebaudioside A, rebaudioside B, rebaudioside C, rebaudioside D, rebaudioside E, and dulcoside A. Many of these steviol glycosides are potent, non-nutritive sweeteners and have been used by themselves or in combination with other steviol glycosides as sweeteners.

The food and beverage industry has been attempting to use steviol glycosides for sweetening foods and beverages because these compounds are natural, have a sweetness and flavor profile approaching that of sucrose, and have zero calories. But replacing nutritive sweeteners such as sucrose and high-fructose corn syrup with one or more steviol glycosides has been challenging. While non-nutritive sweeteners such as steviol glycosides offer sweetness and flavor profiles approaching those of their nutritive counterparts, most steviol glycosides do not fully replicate the taste of sugar and suffer from one or more of slow on-set or off-tastes including, for example, bitter, licorice, or lingering aftertastes.

Although some manufacturers have attempted to minimize undesired tastes using a specific steviol glycoside or by blending known steviol glycosides, food and beverage formulations having suitable flavor profiles broadly accepted by consumers have so far not been prepared.

SUMMARY

The present application relates to high purity rebaudioside J and methods for making high purity rebaudioside J. Also disclosed are concentrates, syrups, and beverages comprising high purity rebaudioside J. The application also relates to rebaudioside J blends with additional sweeteners.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides isolated rebaudioside J having a purity greater than about 85 weight percent, greater than about 90 weight percent, greater than about 95 weight percent, greater than about 99 weight percent, or greater than about 99.9 weight percent.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside J, wherein the rebaudioside J comprises at least 5 weight percent, at least 50 weight percent, or at least 90 weight percent of the sweetener composition.

In some embodiments, the sweetener composition further comprises a non-nutritive sweetener other than rebaudioside J.

in some embodiments, the non-nutritive sweetener other than rebaudioside J is selected from the group consisting of Lo Han Guo, stevioside, steviolbioside, rubusoside, dulcoside A, rebaudioside A, rebaudioside B, rebaudioside C, rebaudioside D, rebaudioside E, rebaudioside F, rebaudioside G, rebaudioside H, rebaudioside I, rebaudioside K, rebaudioside L, rebaudioside M, rebaudioside O, acesulfame-K, aspartame, neotame, saccharin, sucralose, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the non-nutritive sweetener is selected from the group consisting of rebaudioside A, rebaudioside B, rebaudioside D, rebaudioside M, and combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the sweetener composition comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of flavoring agents, flowing agents, coloring agents, bulking agents, sugar alcohols, rare sugars, anti-caking agents, functional ingredients, and combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the rebaudioside J is present in an amount effective to provide a sweetness greater than or equal to about 10% sucrose in the sweetener compositions disclosed herein.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a food product comprising a sweetening amount of rebaudioside and at least one other food ingredient. In some embodiments, the food product is a noncarbonated beverage, a carbonated beverage, a frozen beverage, or a dairy beverage.

In some embodiments, the present also disclosure provides a beverage product comprising from about 1 ppm to about 10,000 ppm rebaudioside J and water.

In some embodiments, the beverage is a coffee drink, a cola drink, a tea drink, a juice drink, a dairy drink, a sports drink, an energy drink, or a flavored water drink.

In some embodiments, the rebaudioside J is present in an amount greater than taste recognition threshold concentration of rebaudioside J in the beverage products disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the rebaudioside J is present at a concentration of from about 50 ppm to about 750 ppm.

In some embodiments, the beverage product further comprises at least one additional sweetener, wherein the at least one additional sweetener is a nutritive sweetener, non-nutritive sweetener other than rebaudioside J, or a combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the at least one additional sweetener is a non-nutritive sweetener and is selected from the group consisting of rebaudioside A, rebaudioside B, rebaudioside D, rebaudioside M, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the at least one additional sweetener is rebaudioside B, rebaudioside D, or a combination thereof.

In one embodiment, the at least one additional sweetener is rebaudioside D, and the rebaudioside D is present in a concentration of from about 50 ppm to about 750 ppm. In another embodiment, the at least one additional sweetener is rebaudioside B, and the rebaudioside B is present in a concentration of from about 50 ppm to about 750 ppm.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method for preparing rebaudioside J, the method comprising subjecting a compound of Formula II

-   -   to deprotection conditions to form rebaudioside J,     -   wherein PG in Formula II is a protecting group.

In some embodiments, the compound of Formula II is prepared by reacting a compound of Formula III

with a protected rebaudioside B in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst, wherein R in Formula III is a leaving group.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the embodiments, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended figures. For the purpose of illustration, the figures may describe the use of specific embodiments. It should be understood, however, that the compositions and compositions described herein are not limited to the precise embodiments discussed or described in the figures.

FIG. 1 depicts a synthetic scheme for synthesizing (2S,3R,4R,5S,6S)-2-(((2S,3R,4S,5R,6R)-4,5-diacetoxy-6-(acetoxymethyl)-2-bromotetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-yl)oxy)-6-methyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-3,4,5-triyl triacetate (Compound 10).

FIG. 2 depicts a synthetic scheme for synthesizing rebaudioside J.

FIG. 3 depicts a scale of 1-10 for comparing the sweetness of different sweeteners.

FIG. 4 depicts a graph showing the intensity of bitterness and sweetness of different concentrations of rebaudioside J.

FIG. 5 depicts a graph showing the intensity of lingering bitterness and sweetness of rebaudioside J over time.

FIG. 6 depicts a comparison of taste and mouthfeel properties of rebaudioside A and rebaudioside J.

FIG. 7 depicts a comparison of bitterness over time of rebaudioside A and rebaudioside J.

FIG. 8 depicts a graph comparing the overall impression of rebaudioside A compared to rebaudioside J.

FIG. 9 is a ¹H NMR spectrum of (2S,3R,4R,5S,6S)-2-(((2S,3R,4S,5R,6R)-4,5-diacetoxy-6-(acetoxymethyl)-2-bromotetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-yl)oxy)-6-methyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-3,4,5-triyl triacetate (Compound 10).

FIG. 10 is a ¹H NMR spectrum of peracylated rebaudioside J (Compound 11).

FIG. 11 is a ¹H NMR spectrum of rebaudioside J.

FIG. 12 are LCMS spectra of rebaudioside J.

FIG. 13 are mass spectrometry spectra of rebaudioside J.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various examples and embodiments of the inventive subject matter disclosed here are possible and will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure. In this disclosure reference to “some embodiments,” “certain embodiments,” “certain exemplary embodiments” and similar phrases each means that those embodiments are non-limiting examples of the inventive subject matter, and there are alternative embodiments which are not excluded.

The articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are used herein to refer to one or more than one (i.e., to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article. By way of example, “an element” means one element or more than one element.

The word “comprising” is used in a manner consistent with its open-ended meaning, that is, to mean that a given product or process can optionally also have additional features or elements beyond those expressly described. It is understood that wherever embodiments are described with the language “comprising,” otherwise analogous embodiments described in terms of “consisting of” and/or “consisting essentially of” are also contemplated and within the scope of this disclosure.

As used herein, the term “about” means±10% of the noted value. By way of example only, a composition comprising “about 30 weight percent” of a compound could include from 27 weight percent of the compound up to and including 33 weight percent of the compound.

The terms “beverage concentrate,” “concentrate,” and “syrup” are used interchangeably throughout this disclosure and refer to an aqueous sweetener composition suitable for use in beverage preparation. Exemplary embodiments are described elsewhere in this disclosure.

As used herein, the term “Brix” means the sugar content of an aqueous solution (w/w). By way of example only, a solution that is 1 degree Brix contains 1 g of sucrose in 100 g of the solution, while a solution that is 5 degrees Brix contains 5 g sucrose in 100 g of the solution.

As used herein, a “sweetening amount” of a sweetener refers to the sweetener being present in an amount sufficient to contribute sweetness perceptible in a food product to a sensory panel. That is, as used here the term a “sweetening amount” means an amount or concentration that in the formulation of the food product in question causes sweetening that is perceptible to at least a majority of an expert sensory panel of the type commonly used in the food industry for making assessments of the taste properties of a beverage or other food.

The term “sweetness recognition threshold concentration,” as generally used herein, is the lowest known concentration of a given sweetener or combination of sweeteners that is perceivable by the human sense of taste, typically around about 1.5% sucrose equivalence.

As used herein, “taste” refers to a combination of sweetness perception, temporal effects of sweetness perception, i.e., on-set and duration, off-tastes, e.g. bitterness and metallic taste, residual perception (aftertaste), and tactile perception, e.g. body and thickness.

The term “nutritive sweetener” refers generally to sweeteners which provide significant caloric content in typical usage amounts, e.g., more than about 5 calories per 8 oz. serving of a beverage.

As used herein, the term “non-nutritive sweetener” refers to all sweeteners other than nutritive sweeteners.

As used herein, a “low-calorie beverage” has less than 40 calories per 8 oz. serving of a given beverage.

As used herein, “zero-calorie” means having less than 5 calories per 8 oz. serving of a given beverage.

As used herein, a “potent sweetener” means a sweetener which is at least twice as sweet as sugar, i.e. a sweetener which on a weight basis requires no more than half the weight of sugar to achieve an equivalent sweetness. For example, a potent sweetener may require less than one-half the weight of sugar to achieve an equivalent sweetness in a beverage sweetened to a level of 10 degrees Brix with sugar. Potent sweeteners can be either nutritive or non-nutritive sweeteners and can be natural (e.g., steviol glycosides, Lo Han Guo, etc.) or artificial (e.g., neotame, etc.).

The term “enantiomeric excess” or “ee” refers to a measure for how much of one enantiomer is present compared to the other. For a mixture of R and S enantiomers, the percent enantiomeric excess is defined as |R−S|*100, where R and S are the respective mole or weight fractions of enantiomers in a mixture such that R+S=1. With knowledge of the optical rotation of a chiral substance, the percent enantiomeric excess is defined as ([α]_(obs)/[α]_(max))*100, where [α]_(obs) is the optical rotation of the mixture of enantiomers and [α]_(max) is the optical rotation of the pure enantiomer.

The term “diastereomeric excess” or “de” refers to a measure for how much of one diastereomer is present compared to the other and is defined by analogy to enantiomeric excess. Thus, for a mixture of diastereomers, D1 and D2, the percent diastereomeric excess is defined as |D1−D2|*100, where D1 and D2 are the respective mole or weight fractions of diastereomers in a mixture such that D1+D2=1.

The determination of diastereomeric and/or enantiomeric excess is possible using a variety of analytical techniques, including NMR spectroscopy, chiral column chromatography, and/or optical polarimetry according to routine protocols familiar to those of ordinary skill in the art.

As used herein, unless otherwise specified, the term “added,” “combined,” and terms of similar character mean that the ingredients or components referred to (e.g., one or more sweeteners, sweetness enhancers, etc.) are combined in any manner and in any order, with or without stirring.

Rebaudioside J has the structure of Formula I:

The present disclosure provides isolated rebaudioside J. In some embodiments, the rebaudioside J can be prepared by the synthesis described herein. In other embodiments, the rebaudioside J can be isolated from Stevia rebaudiana extract.

Regardless of how it is prepared and/or isolated, the rebaudioside J described herein can be a substantially purified compound, for example, having a purity of at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 99%, or at least 99.9% by weight. In some embodiments, the isolated rebaudioside J can be a substantially purified compound having a purity of at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 99%, or at least 99.9% by HPLC measurement, for example, using the method described in the Examples section. In some embodiments, the isolated rebaudioside J can be a substantially purified compound having a purity by weight of about 80%, about 85%, about 90%, about 95%, about 99%, about 99.9% or any ranges between the specified values. In some embodiments, the compound can be a substantially purified compound having a purity by HPLC measurement of about 80%, about 85%, about 90%, about 95%, about 99%, about 99.9%, or any ranges between the specified values.

In some embodiments, the isolated rebaudioside J can be enantiomerically pure, for example, having an enantiomeric excess of at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, at least 99.9%, essentially 100%, or any ranges between the specified values.

In some embodiments, the isolated rebaudioside J can be diastereomerically pure, for example, having a diastereomeric excess of at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, at least 99.9%, essentially 100%, or any ranges between the specified values.

Sweetener Composition Comprising Rebaudioside J

Rebaudioside J is a high potency sweetener with a good sweetness profile. Rebaudioside J can be used as a sweetener directly or can be used in a sweetener composition.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside J in a concentration above its sweetness recognition threshold. In some embodiments, rebaudioside J, in any of the varying purities described above, is the only sweetener present in the sweetener composition.

In some embodiments, the sweetener composition further comprises a second sweetener. The second sweetener can be a nutritive or non-nutritive, natural or synthetic sweetener, or a combination of such sweeteners, so long as the second sweetener or combination of sweeteners provides a taste which is perceived as sweet by the sense of taste. The perception of flavoring agents and sweetening agents can depend to some extent on the interrelation of elements. Flavor and sweetness can also be perceived separately, i.e., flavor and sweetness perception can be both dependent upon each other and independent of each other. For example, when a large amount of a flavoring agent is used, a small amount of a sweetening agent can be readily perceptible and vice versa. Thus, the oral and olfactory interaction between a flavoring agent and a sweetening agent can involve the interrelationship of elements. In some embodiments, the second sweetener is a nutritive sweetener. In some embodiments, the second sweetener is a non-nutritive sweetener. In some embodiments, the second sweetener is a natural sweetener. In some embodiments, the second sweetener is an artificial sweetener.

When used to sweeten, the second sweetener is present in an amount above the sweeteners' sweetness recognition threshold concentration.

In certain embodiments, the second sweetener can comprise one or more nutritive sweeteners in an amount of from about 1% to about 20% by weight of the sweetener composition, such as from about 3% to about 16% by weight, or from about 5% to about 12% by weight, depending upon the desired level of sweetness in the sweetener composition.

Exemplary natural nutritive sweeteners suitable for use as a second sweetener include crystalline or liquid sucrose, fructose, glucose, dextrose, maltose, trehalose, fructo-oligosaccharides, glucose-fructose syrup from natural sources such as apple, chicory, and honey; high fructose corn syrup, invert sugar, maple syrup, maple sugar, honey, brown sugar molasses, cane molasses, such as first molasses, second molasses, blackstrap molasses, and sugar beet molasses; sorghum syrup, and mixtures thereof. In certain embodiments, the one or more nutritive sweeteners can be glucose, high-fructose corn syrup, or a combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the second sweetener can comprise one or more sugar alcohols such as erythritol, sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, lactitol, isomalt, malitol, tagatose, trehalose, galactose, rhamnose, cyclodextrin, ribulose, threose, arabinose, xylose, lyxose, allose, altrose, mannose, idose, lactose, maltose, isotrehalose, neotrehalose, palatinose or isomaltulose, erythrose, deoxyribose, gulose, talose, erythrulose, xylulose, psicose, turanose, cellobiose, glucosamine, mannosamine, fucose, fuculose, glucuronic acid, gluconic acid, glucono-lactone, abequose, galactosamine, xylo-oligosaccharides (xylobiose, xylobiose and the like), gentio-oligoscaccharides (gentiobiose, gentiotriose, gentiotetraose and the like), galacto-oligosaccharides, sorbose, ketotriose (dehydroxyacetone), aldotriose (glyceraldehyde), nigero-oligosaccharides, fructooligosaccharides (kestose, nystose and the like), maltotetraose, maltotriol, tetrasaccharides, mannan-oligosaccharides, malto-oligosaccharides (maltotriose, maltotetraose, maltopentaose, maltohexaose, maltoheptaose and the like), dextrins, lactulose, melibiose, raffinose, rhamnose, ribose, and mixtures thereof.

In still further embodiments, the second sweetener can comprise one or more rare sugars such as D-allose, D-psicose (also known as D-allulose), L-ribose, D-tagatose, L-glucose, L-fucose, L-arabinose, D-turanose, D-leucrose, and mixtures thereof.

In certain embodiments, the second sweetener can comprise one or more artificial sweeteners. Exemplary artificial sweeteners suitable for use as a second sweetener herein include, but are not limited to, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, neotame, advantame, acesulfame potassium, sucralose, mixtures thereof.

In certain embodiments, the second sweetener can comprise one or more non-nutritive sweeteners other than Rebaudioside J. In certain embodiments, rebaudioside J and the second sweetener comprising one or more non-nutritive sweeteners other than rebaudioside J can be present at a ratio of from about 99:1 to about 1:99. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the second sweetener comprising one or more non-nutritive sweeteners other than rebaudioside J can be present in an amount ranging from about 1 ppm to about 600 ppm in the sweetener composition, depending upon the particular non-nutritive sweetener(s) being used and the desired level of sweetness in the sweetener composition.

In some embodiments, the non-nutritive sweetener other than rebaudioside J is selected from the group consisting of Lo Han Guo, stevioside, steviolbioside, rubusoside, dulcoside A, rebaudioside A, rebaudioside B, rebaudioside C, rebaudioside D, rebaudioside E, rebaudioside F, rebaudioside G, rebaudioside H, rebaudioside I, rebaudioside K, rebaudioside L, rebaudioside M, rebaudioside O, acesulfame-K, aspartame, neotame, saccharin, sucralose, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the non-nutritive sweetener is selected from the group consisting of rebaudioside A, rebaudioside B, rebaudioside D, rebaudioside M, and combinations thereof.

In certain exemplary embodiments, the sweetener composition comprises rebaudioside A and rebaudioside J. In certain exemplary embodiments, the sweetener composition comprises rebaudioside B and rebaudioside J. In certain exemplary embodiments, the sweetener composition comprises rebaudioside D and rebaudioside J. In certain exemplary embodiments, the sweetener composition comprises rebaudioside M and rebaudioside J. In certain exemplary embodiments, the sweetener composition comprises rebaudioside B, rebaudioside D, and rebaudioside J. In certain exemplary embodiments, the sweetener composition comprises rebaudioside A, rebaudioside B, and rebaudioside J.

In some embodiments, the sweetener composition comprises rebaudioside J and rebaudioside A, and the weight ratio of rebaudioside J to rebaudioside A can be about 10:1, about 9:1, about 8:1, about 7:1, about 6:1, about 5:1, about 4:1, about 3:1, about 2:1, about 1:1, about 1:2, about 1:3, about 1:4, about 1:5, about 1:6, about 1:7, about 1:8, about 1:9, about 1:10, or any ranges between the specified values. In other embodiments, rebaudioside J and rebaudioside A can be present in the sweetener composition in a ratio of about 99:1, about 75:1, about 50:1, about 25:1, about 20:1, about 15:1, about 10:1, about 5:1, about 1:1, about 1:5, about 1:10, about 1:15, about 1:20, about 1:25, about 1:50, about 1:75, about 1:99, or any ranges between the specified values.

In some embodiments, the sweetener composition comprises rebaudioside J and rebaudioside B, and the weight ratio of rebaudioside J to rebaudioside B can be about 99:1, about 75:1, about 50:1, about 25:1, about 20:1, about 15:1, about 110:1, about 9:1, about 8:1, about 7:1, about 6:1, about 5:1, about 4.5:1, about 4:1, about 3.5:1, about 3:1, about 2.5:1, about 2:1, about 1.5:1, about 1:1, about 1:5, about 1:10, about 1:15, about 1:20, about 1:25, about 1:50, about 1:75, about 1:99, or any ranges between the specified values. In some embodiments, the weight ratio of rebaudioside J to rebaudioside B can be 5:1.

In some embodiments, the sweetener composition comprises rebaudioside J and rebaudioside D, and the weight ratio of rebaudioside J to rebaudioside D can be about 99:1, about 75:1, about 50:1, about 25:1, about 20:1, about 15:1, about 110:1, about 9:1, about 8:1, about 7:1, about 6:1, about 5:1, about 4.5:1, about 4:1, about 3.5:1, about 3:1, about 2.5:1, about 2:1, about 1.5:1, about 1:1, about 1:5, about 1:10, about 1:15, about 1:20, about 1:25, about 1:50, about 1:75, about 1:99, or any ranges between the specified values. In some embodiments, the weight ratio of rebaudioside J to rebaudioside can be 5:1.

In some embodiments, the sweetener composition comprises rebaudioside J, rebaudioside B, and rebaudioside D, and the weight ratio of rebaudioside J:rebaudioside B:rebaudioside D can be about 7:2:1.

In some embodiments, the sweetener composition comprises rebaudioside J, rebaudioside B, and rebaudioside A, and the weight ratio of rebaudioside J:rebaudioside B:rebaudioside A can be about 1:3:16.

In certain embodiments, rebaudioside J comprises at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, or at least 95% of the sweetener composition.

In some embodiments, the sweetener composition comprises rebaudioside J in an amount effective to provide a sweetness greater than or equal to about 10% sucrose.

In some embodiments, the sweetener composition comprises from about 1 ppm to about 10,000 ppm rebaudioside J. In some embodiments, the sweetener composition comprises about 1 ppm, about 5 ppm, about 10 ppm, about 50 ppm, about 100 ppm, about 200 ppm, about 300 ppm, about 400 ppm, about 500 ppm, about 600 ppm, about 700 ppm, about 800 ppm, about 900 ppm, about 1000 ppm, about 2000 ppm, about 3000 ppm, about 4000 ppm, about 5000 ppm, about 6000 ppm, about 7000 ppm, about 8000 ppm, about 9000 ppm, about 10,000 ppm, or any ranges between the specified values.

In some embodiments, the sweetener composition can include at least one sweetness enhancer in a concentration sufficient to further enhance the sweetness of rebaudioside J and/or the second sweetener but in a concentration below the sweetness enhancer's sweetness recognition threshold concentration. In certain embodiments, the sweetness enhancer can be present at a concentration below its sweetness recognition threshold concentration. For example, and in certain embodiments, the sweetener composition can contain up to about 2 weight percent each of D-psicose, erythritol, or combination thereof. In some embodiments, D-psicose and/or erythritol can be present in an amount ranging from about 0.5 to about 2.0 weight percent. Alternatively, D-psicose can be present in an amount ranging from about 0.5 to about 2.0 weight percent and erythritol can be present in an amount ranging from about 0.5 to about 1 weight percent.

Nonlimiting suitable sweetness enhancers include those known in the art. In some embodiments, the sweetener composition comprises, in addition to rebaudioside J, D-psicose, erythritol, rubusoside, rebaudioside B, rebaudioside C, trilobatin, phyllodulcin, brazzein, mogrosides, or a combination of any of the foregoing.

In some embodiments, the sweetness enhancer can be a rare sugar supplemental sweetness enhancer. Exemplary rare sugars include D-psicose (also referred to as D-allulose), D-allose, L-ribose, D-tagatose, L-glucose, L-fucose, L-arabinose, D-turanose, D-leucrose, and mixtures thereof.

In some embodiments, the sweetness enhancer can be a non-nutritive natural enhancer. Suitable non-nutritive natural enhancers include steviol glycosides. Suitable steviol glycosides, include, but are not limited to, stevioside, rebaudioside A, rebaudioside B, rebaudioside C, rebaudioside D, rebaudioside E, rebaudioside F, rebaudioside H, rebaudioside I, rebaudioside N, rebaudioside K, rebaudioside O, rebaudioside M, rubusoside, dulcoside A, iso-steviol glycosides such as iso-rebaudioside A, and mixtures thereof. In a particular embodiment, the sweetness enhancer can be rubusoside, rebaudioside C or rebaudioside B. In other embodiments, the non-nutritive natural sweetness enhancer can be a mogrol glycoside. Suitable mogrol glycosides, include, but are not limited to, mogroside V, isomogroside, mogroside IV, siamenoside, and mixtures thereof.

In some embodiments, the sweetness enhancer can be a sugar alcohol sweetness enhancer. Suitable sugar alcohols include erythritol, sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, lactitol, isomalt, malitol, and mixture thereof.

In some embodiments, the sweetness enhancer can be a FEMA GRAS sweetness enhancers. Suitable FEMA GRAS enhancers include, but are not limited to, FEMA GRAS enhancer 4802, FEMA GRAS enhancer 4469, FEMA GRAS flavor 4701, FEMA GRAS enhancer 4720 (rebaudioside C), FEMA GRAS flavor 4774, FEMA GRAS enhancer 4708, FEMA GRAS enhancer 4728, FEMA GRAS enhancer 4601 (rebaudioside A) and combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the sweetness enhancer can be a benzoic acid based sweetness enhancer.

Other suitable sweetness enhancers are known in the art, for example, as described in WO 2016/040577 A1, in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2014/0271996, 2014/0093630, 2014/0094453, and 2014/0272068, along with U.S. Pat. No. 8,877,922, all of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

The sweetener composition disclosed herein can further comprise at least one component selected from the group consisting of flavoring agents, flowing agents, coloring agents, bulking agents, sugar alcohols, rare sugars, anti-caking agents, functional ingredients, and combinations thereof.

Food and Beverage Products Comprising Rebaudioside J

Rebaudioside J or the sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside J described herein can be included in various products to modify the sweetness, taste, and/or flavor of the products. The sweetener composition described herein can be provided in various forms.

In certain embodiments, the sweetener composition can be a dry blend sweetener. The dry blend sweetener composition can be a granular or powdered composition such as for use as a tabletop sweetener. Alternatively, the dry blend can be added to food products for baking or as a topping or to a liquid, such as to form a beverage from a powder e.g. chocolate milk, or Instant QUAKER Oats.

The dry blend sweetener composition can further include a binding or bulking agent, an anti-caking agents, and/or a flavor. Suitable binding or bulking agents include, but are not limited to maltodextrin, dextrose-maltodextrin blends, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and mixtures thereof. Suitable anti-caking agents include, but are not limited to alumino silicate, magnesium carbonate, and combinations thereof.

In other embodiments, the sweetener composition can be provided in an aqueous formulation, the formulation comprising water and rebaudioside J.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a beverage product containing rebaudioside J or the sweetener composition described herein. In some embodiments, the beverage product is selected from the group consisting of carbonated beverages, non-carbonated beverages, fountain beverages, frozen carbonated beverages, powdered concentrates, beverage concentrates, fruit juices, fruit juice-flavored drinks, fruit-flavored drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks, fortified/enhanced water thinks, soy thinks, vegetable drinks, grain-based drinks, malt beverages, fermented drinks, yogurt drinks, kefir, coffee beverages, tea beverages, dairy beverages, and mixtures of any of them. In other embodiments, the beverage product is a beverage concentrate.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a food product comprising a sweetening amount of rebaudioside J and at least one other food ingredient. In some embodiments, the food product is a noncarbonated beverage, a carbonated beverage, a frozen beverage, or a dairy beverage.

In some embodiments, the beverage product is a ready-to-drink beverage or a beverage concentrate. In some embodiments, the beverage product is a low-calorie or a zero-calorie beverage product.

In some embodiments, the beverage is a coffee drink, a cola drink, a tea drink, a juice drink, a dairy drink, a sports drink, an energy drink, or a flavored water drink.

In some embodiments, rebaudioside J is present in an amount greater than taste recognition threshold concentration of rebaudioside J in the beverage products disclosed herein.

In some embodiments, rebaudioside J is present in a beverage product at a concentration of from about 50 ppm to about 750 ppm. In some embodiments, rebaudioside J is present at a concentration of from about 50 ppm to about 700 ppm, from about 50 ppm to about 600 ppm, from about 50 ppm to about 500 ppm, from about 50 ppm to about 400 ppm, from about 50 ppm to about 350 ppm, from about 50 ppm to about 300 ppm, from about 50 ppm to about 250 ppm, from about 50 ppm to about 200 ppm, from about 50 ppm to about 150 ppm, or from about 50 ppm to about 100 ppm in the beverage products.

In some embodiments, rebaudioside J is present in a beverage product at a concentration of from about 100 ppm to about 750 ppm, from about 150 ppm to about 750 ppm, from about 200 ppm to about 750 ppm, from about 250 ppm to about 750 ppm, from about 300 ppm to about 750 ppm, from about 3500 ppm to about 750 ppm, from about 400 ppm to about 750 ppm, from about 500 ppm to about 750 ppm, from about 600 ppm to about 750 ppm, or from about 700 ppm to about 750 ppm.

In some embodiments, rebaudioside J is present in a beverage product at a concentration of from about 100 ppm to about 700 ppm, from about 150 ppm to about 650 ppm, from about 200 ppm to about 600 ppm, from about 250 ppm to about 550 ppm, from about 300 ppm to about 500 ppm, or from about 350 ppm to about 450 ppm.

In some embodiments, rebaudioside J is present in a beverage concentrate, at a concentration of from about 300 ppm to about 5000 ppm, from about 400 ppm to about 4500 ppm, from about 500 ppm to about 4000 ppm, from about 600 ppm to about 3500 ppm, from about 700 ppm to about 3000 ppm, from about 800 ppm to about 2500 ppm, from about 900 ppm to about 2000 ppm, or from about 1000 ppm to about 1500 ppm.

In some embodiments, the beverage product further comprises at least one additional sweetener, wherein the at least one additional sweetener is a nutritive sweetener, non-nutritive sweetener other than rebaudioside J, or a combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the at least one additional sweetener in the beverage product is one or more steviol glycosides described elsewhere herein. In some embodiments, the one or more steviol glycosides is a steviol glycoside selected from the group consisting of rebaudioside A, rebaudioside B, rebaudioside D, rebaudioside M, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the at least one additional sweetener is rebaudioside B, rebaudioside D, or a combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the at least one additional sweetener is rebaudioside B. In certain embodiments, rebaudioside J and rebaudioside B can be present in the beverage product in a ratio of about 99:1 to about 1:99, on a weight basis. In other embodiments, rebaudioside J and rebaudioside B can be present in the beverage product in a ratio of about 99:1, about 75:1, about 50:1, about 25:1, about 20:1, about 15:1, about 10:1, about 9:1, about 8:1, about 7:1, about 6:1, about 5:1, about 4.5:1, about 4:1, about 3.5:1, about 3:1, about 2.5:1, about 2:1, about 1.5:1, about 1:1, about 1:5, about 1:10, about 1:15, about 1:20, about 1:25, about 1:50, about 1:75, about 1:99, or any ranges between the specified values.

In other embodiments, rebaudioside B can be present at a concentration of from about 50 ppm to about 750 ppm, from about 100 ppm to about 700 ppm, from about 150 ppm to about 650 ppm, from about 200 ppm to about 600 ppm, from about 250 ppm to about 550 ppm, from about 300 ppm to about 500 ppm, or from about 350 ppm to about 450 ppm in the beverage products. In some embodiments, rebaudioside B is present in a beverage concentrate, at a concentration of from about 300 ppm to about 5000 ppm, from about 400 ppm to about 4500 ppm, from about 500 ppm to about 4000 ppm, from about 600 ppm to about 3500 ppm, from about 700 ppm to about 3000 ppm, from about 800 ppm to about 2500 ppm, from about 900 ppm to about 2000 ppm, or from about 1000 ppm to about 1500 ppm.

In some embodiments, the at least one additional sweetener is rebaudioside D. In certain embodiments, rebaudioside J and rebaudioside D can be present in the beverage product in a ratio of about 99:1 to about 1:99, on a weight basis. In other embodiments, rebaudioside J and rebaudioside D can be present in the beverage product in a ratio of about 99:1, about 75:1, about 50:1, about 25:1, about 20:1, about 15:1, about 10:1, about 9:1, about 8:1, about 7:1, about 6:1, about 5:1, about 4.5:1, about 4:1, about 3.5:1, about 3:1, about 2.5:1, about 2:1, about 1.5:1, about 1:1, about 1:5, about 1:10, about 1:15, about 1:20, about 1:25, about 1:50, about 1:75, about 1:99, or any ranges between the specified values.

In other embodiments, rebaudioside D can be present at a concentration of from about 50 ppm to about 750 ppm, from about 100 ppm to about 700 ppm, from about 150 ppm to about 650 ppm, from about 200 ppm to about 600 ppm, from about 250 ppm to about 550 ppm, from about 300 ppm to about 500 ppm, or from about 350 ppm to about 450 ppm in the beverage products. In some embodiments, rebaudioside D is present in a beverage concentrate at a concentration of from about 300 ppm to about 5000 ppm, from about 400 ppm to about 4500 ppm, from about 500 ppm to about 4000 ppm, from about 600 ppm to about 3500 ppm, from about 700 ppm to about 3000 ppm, from about 800 ppm to about 2500 ppm, from about 900 ppm to about 2000 ppm, or from about 1000 ppm to about 1500 ppm.

In certain embodiments, a beverage product in accordance with this disclosure can comprise water, rebaudioside J, an optional second sweetener, an acidulant, and a flavoring. Exemplary flavorings include, but are not limited to, cola flavoring, citrus flavoring, spice flavorings, and combinations thereof. Carbonation in the form of carbon dioxide can be added for effervescence. In certain embodiments, preservatives can be added if desired or necessary, depending upon factors including the presence of other ingredients, production technique, desired shelf life, etc. In certain embodiments, caffeine can be added to the beverage. Other suitable ingredients are described herein.

Certain exemplary embodiments of the beverage products disclosed here are cola-flavored carbonated beverages, characteristically containing, in addition to the ingredients included in the beverage products disclosed herein, carbonated water, sweetener, kola nut extract and/or other flavorings, caramel coloring, phosphoric acid, and optionally other ingredients. Additional and alternative suitable ingredients will be recognized by those skilled in the art given the benefit of this disclosure.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a food product containing rebaudioside J or the sweetener composition described herein. In some embodiments, the food product is selected from the group consisting of oatmeal, cereal, baked goods, cookies, crackers, cakes, brownies, breads, snack foods, potato chips, tortilla chips, popcorn, snack bars, rice cakes, and grain-based food products.

It should be understood that the food or beverage products in accordance with this disclosure can have any of numerous different specific formulations or constitutions. The formulation of a food or beverage product in accordance with this disclosure can vary, depending upon such factors as the product's intended market segment, its desired nutritional characteristics, flavor profile, and the like. For example, further ingredients can be added to the formulation of a particular food or beverage embodiment. Further ingredients include, but are not limited to, one or more additional sweeteners in addition to any sweetener already present, flavorings, electrolytes, vitamins, fruit juices or other fruit products, tastants, masking agents, flavor enhancers, carbonation, or any combination of the foregoing. These can be added to any of the food or beverage compositions to vary the taste, mouthfeel, and/or nutritional characteristics of the food or beverage composition.

Natural Embodiments

Certain embodiments of the described compositions can be “natural” in that they do not contain anything artificial or synthetic (including any color additives regardless of source) that would not normally be expected to be in the food or beverage. As used herein, therefore, a “natural” food or beverage product is defined in accordance with the following guidelines: Raw materials for a natural ingredient exists or originates in nature. Biological synthesis involving fermentation and enzymes can be employed, but synthesis with chemical reagents is not utilized. Artificial colors, preservatives, and flavors are not considered natural ingredients. Ingredients may be processed or purified through certain specified techniques including at least: physical processes, fermentation, and enzymolysis. Appropriate processes and purification techniques include at least: absorption, adsorption, agglomeration, centrifugation, chopping, cooking (baking, frying, boiling, roasting), cooling, cutting, chromatography, coating, crystallization, digestion, drying (spray, freeze drying, vacuum), evaporation, distillation, electrophoresis, emulsification, encapsulation, extraction, extrusion, filtration, fermentation, grinding, infusion, maceration, microbiological (rennet, enzymes), mixing, peeling, percolation, refrigeration/freezing, squeezing, steeping, washing, heating, mixing, ion exchange, lyophilization, osmose, precipitation, salting out, sublimation, ultrasonic treatment, concentration, flocculation, homogenization, reconstitution, enzymolysis (using enzymes found in nature). Processing aids (currently defined as substances used as manufacturing aids to enhance the appeal or utility of a food or beverage component, including clarifying agents, catalysts, flocculants, filter aids, and crystallization inhibitors, etc. See 21 CFR. § 170.3(o)(24)) are considered incidental additives and may be used if removed appropriately.

Additional Ingredients

In certain embodiments, the food or beverage products disclosed herein can contain a flavor composition, for example, natural, nature identical, and/or synthetic fruit flavors, botanical flavors, other flavors, and mixtures thereof. As used herein, the term “fruit flavor” refers generally to those flavors derived from the edible reproductive part of a seed plant including those plants wherein a sweet pulp is associated with the seed, e.g., tomato, cranberry, and the like, and those having a small, fleshy berry. The term berry includes true berries as well as aggregate fruits, i.e., not “true” berries, but fruit commonly accepted as such. Also included within the term “fruit flavor” are synthetically prepared flavors made to simulate fruit flavors derived from natural sources. Examples of suitable fruit or berry sources include whole berries or portions thereof, berry juice, berry juice concentrates, berry purees and blends thereof, dried berry powders, dried berry juice powders, and the like.

Exemplary fruit flavors include the citrus flavors, e.g., orange, lemon, lime grapefruit, tangerine, mandarin orange, tangelo, and pomelo, apple, grape, cherry, and pineapple flavors. In certain embodiments, the food or beverage products comprise a fruit flavor component, e.g., a juice concentrate or juice. As used here, the term “botanical flavor” refers to flavors derived from parts of a plant other than the fruit. As such, botanical flavors can include those flavors derived from essential oils and extracts of nuts, bark, roots, and leaves. Also included within the term “botanical flavor” are synthetically prepared flavors made to simulate botanical flavors derived from natural sources. Examples of such flavors include cola flavors, tea flavors, and mixtures thereof. The flavor component may further comprise a blend of several of the above-mentioned flavors. In certain exemplary embodiments of the food or beverage products, a cola flavor component is used or a tea flavor component. The particular amount of the flavor component useful for imparting flavor characteristics to the food or beverage products of the present disclosure will depend upon the flavor(s) selected, the flavor impression desired, and the form of the flavor component. Those skilled in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure, will be readily able to determine the amount of any particular flavor component(s) used to achieve the desired flavor impression.

Juices suitable for use in certain exemplary embodiments of the food or beverage products disclosed herein include, e.g., fruit, vegetable and berry juices. Juices may be employed in the food or beverage products in the form of a concentrate, puree, single-strength juice, or other suitable forms. The term “juice” as used here includes single-strength fruit, berry, or vegetable juice, as well as concentrates, purees, milks, and other forms. Multiple different fruit, vegetable and/or berry juices can be combined, optionally along with other flavorings, to generate a concentrate or beverage having a desired flavor. Examples of suitable juice sources include plum, prune, date, currant, fig, grape, raisin, cranberry, pineapple, peach, banana, apple, pear, guava, apricot, Saskatoon berry, blueberry, plains berry, prairie berry, mulberry, elderberry, Barbados cherry (acerola cherry), choke cherry, date, coconut, olive, raspberry, strawberry, huckleberry, loganberry, currant, dewberry, boysenberry, kiwi, cherry, blackberry, quince, buckthorn, passion fruit, sloe, rowan, gooseberry, pomegranate, persimmon, mango, rhubarb, papaya, litchi, lemon, orange, lime, tangerine, mandarin, melon, watermelon, and grapefruit. Numerous additional and alternative juices suitable for use in at least certain exemplary embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art given the benefit of this disclosure. In the compositions of the present disclosure employing juice, juice can be used, for example, at a level of at least about 0.2 weight percent of the composition. In certain embodiments juice can be employed at a level of from about 0.2. weight percent to about 40 weight percent. In further embodiments, juice can be used, if at all, in an amounts ranging from about 1 weight percent to about 20 weight percent.

Juices that are lighter in color can be included in the formulation of certain exemplary embodiments to adjust the flavor and/or increase the juice content of the beverage without darkening the beverage color. Examples of such juices include apple, pear, pineapple, peach, lemon, lime, orange, apricot, grapefruit, tangerine, rhubarb, cassis, quince, passion fruit, papaya, mango, guava, litchi, kiwi, mandarin, coconut, and banana. Deflavored and decolored juices can be employed if desired.

Other flavorings suitable for use in at least certain exemplary embodiments of the food or beverage products disclosed here include, e.g., spice flavorings, such as cassia, clove, cinnamon, pepper, ginger, vanilla spice flavorings, cardamom, coriander, root beer, sassafras, ginseng, and others. Numerous additional and alternative flavorings suitable for use in at least certain exemplary embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art given the benefit of this disclosure. Flavorings may be in the form of an extract, oleoresin, juice concentrate, bottler's base, or other forms known in the art. In at least certain exemplary embodiments, such spice or other flavors complement that of a juice or juice combination.

The one or more flavorings may be used in the form of an emulsion. A flavoring emulsion can be prepared by mixing some or all of the flavorings together, optionally together with other ingredients of the food or beverage, and an emulsifying agent. The emulsifying agent can be added with or after the flavorings mixed together. In certain exemplary embodiments the emulsifying agent is water-soluble. Exemplary suitable emulsifying agents include gum acacia, modified starch, carboxymethylcellulose, gum tragacanth, gum ghatti and other suitable gums. Additional suitable emulsifying agents will be apparent to those skilled in the art of food or beverage formulations, given the benefit of this disclosure. The emulsifier in exemplary embodiments comprises greater than about 3% of the mixture of flavorings and emulsifier. In certain exemplary embodiments the emulsifier is from about 5% to about 30% of the mixture.

Carbon dioxide can be used to provide effervescence to certain exemplary embodiments of the food or beverage products disclosed here. Any of the techniques and carbonating equipment known in the art for carbonating beverages can be employed. Carbon dioxide can enhance beverage taste and appearance and may aid in safeguarding the beverage purity by inhibiting and/or destroying objectionable bacteria. In certain embodiments, for example, the beverage can have a CO₂ level up to about 4.0 volumes carbon dioxide. Other embodiments can have, for example, from about 0.5 volume to about 5.0 volumes of carbon dioxide. As used herein, one volume of carbon dioxide refers to the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by a given quantity of a given liquid, such as water, at 60° F. (16° C.) and one atmospheric pressure. A volume of gas occupies the same space as does the liquid by which it is dissolved. The carbon dioxide content can be selected by those skilled in the art based on the desired level of effervescence and the impact of the carbon dioxide on the taste or mouthfeel of the beverage.

In certain embodiments, caffeine can be added to any of the food or beverage products described herein. For example, the amount of caffeine added can be determined by the desired properties of a given beverage or syrup, and any applicable regulatory provisions of the country where the beverage or syrup is marketed. In certain embodiments caffeine can be included in an amount sufficient to provide a final beverage product having less than about 0.02 weight percent caffeine. The caffeine must be of purity acceptable for use in beverage food or beverage. The caffeine may be natural or synthetic in origin.

The food or beverage products disclosed here can contain additional ingredients, including, generally, any of those typically found in food or beverage formulations. Examples of such additional ingredients include, but are not limited to, caramel and other coloring agents or dyes, foaming or antifoaming agents, gums, emulsifiers, tea solids, cloud components, and mineral and non-mineral nutritional supplements. Examples of non-mineral nutritional supplement ingredients are known to those of ordinary skill in the art and include, for example, antioxidants and vitamins, including Vitamins A, D, E (tocopherol), C (ascorbic acid), B (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B6, B12, K, niacin, folic acid, biotin, and combinations thereof. The optional non-mineral nutritional supplements are typically present in amounts generally accepted under good manufacturing practices. Exemplary amounts can be between about 1% and about 100% Recommended Daily Value (RDV), where such RDVs are established. In certain exemplary embodiments the non-mineral nutritional supplement ingredient(s) can be present in an amount of from about 5% to about 20% RDV, where established.

Preservatives may be used in at least certain embodiments of the food or beverage products disclosed here. That is, at least certain exemplary embodiments can contain an optional dissolved preservative system. Solutions with a pH below 4 and especially those below 3 typically are “micro-stable,” i.e., they resist growth of microorganisms, and so are suitable for longer term storage prior to consumption without the need for further preservatives. However, an additional preservative system can be used if desired. If a preservative system is used, it can be added to the product at any suitable time during production, e.g., in some cases prior to the addition of sweeteners. As used here, the terms “preservation system” or “preservatives” include all suitable preservatives approved for use in food or beverage compositions, including, without limitation, such known chemical preservatives as benzoates, e.g., sodium, calcium, and potassium benzoate, sorbates, e.g., sodium, calcium, and potassium sorbate, citrates, e.g., sodium citrate and potassium citrate, polyphosphates, e.g., sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP), and mixtures thereof, and antioxidants such as ascorbic acid, EDTA, BHA, BHT, TBHQ, dehydroacetic acid, dimethyldicarbonate, ethoxyquin, heptylparaben, and combinations thereof. Preservatives may be used in amounts not exceeding mandated maximum levels under applicable laws and regulations.

In the case of beverages in particular, the level of preservative used can be adjusted according to the planned final product pH and/or the microbiological spoilage potential of the particular beverage formulation. The maximum level employed typically is about 0.05 weight percent of the beverage. It will be within the ability of those skilled in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure, to select a suitable preservative or combination of preservatives for beverage products according to this disclosure.

Other methods of preservation suitable for at least certain exemplary embodiments of the products disclosed here include, e.g., aseptic packaging and/or heat treatment or thermal processing steps, such as hot filling and tunnel pasteurization. Such steps can be used to reduce yeast, mold and microbial growth in the food or beverage products. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,830,862 discloses the use of pasteurization in the production of fruit juice beverages as well as the use of suitable preservatives in carbonated beverages. U.S. Pat. No. 4,925,686 discloses a heat-pasteurized freezable fruit juice composition which contains sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate. Both of these patents are incorporated by reference in their entireties. In general, heat treatment includes hot fill methods typically using high temperatures for a short time, e.g., about 190° F. for 10 seconds, tunnel pasteurization methods typically using lower temperatures for a longer time, e.g., about 160° F. for 10-15 minutes, and retort methods typically using, e.g., about 250° F. for 3-5 minutes at elevated pressure, i.e., at pressure above 1 atmosphere.

Suitable antioxidants may be selected from the group consisting of rutin, quercetin, flavonones, flavones, dihydroflavonols, flavonols, flavandiols, leucoanthocyanidins, flavonol glycosides, flavonone glycosides, isoflavonoids, and neoflavonoids. In particular, the flavonoids may be, but not limited to, quercetin, eriocitrin, neoeriocitrin, narirutin, naringin, hesperidin, hesperetin, neohesperidin, neoponcirin, poncirin, rutin, isorhoifolin, rhoifolin, diosmin, neodiosmin, sinensetin, nobiletin, tangeritin, catechin, catechin gallate, epigallocatechin, epigallocatechin gallate, oolong tea polymerized polyphenol, anthocyanin, heptamethoxyflavone, daidzin, daidzein, biochaminn A, prunetin, genistin, glycitein, glycitin, genistein, 6,7,4′-trihydroxy isoflavone, morin, apigenin, vitexin, balcalein, apiin, cupressuflavone, datiscetin, diosmetin, fisetin, galangin, gossypetin, geraldol, hinokiflavone, primuletin, pratol, luteolin, myricetin, orientin, robinetin, quercetagetin, and hydroxy-4-flavone.

Suitable food grade acids are water soluble organic acids and their salts and include, for example, phosphoric acid, sorbic acid, ascorbic acid, benzoic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, acetic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, maleic acid, make acid, valeric acid, caproic acid, malonic acid, aconitic acid, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, sodium citrate, amino acids, and combinations of any of them. Such acids are suitable for adjusting the pH of the food or beverage.

Suitable food grade bases are sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, and calcium hydroxide. Such bases also are suitable for adjusting the pH of a food or beverage.

Method of Modulating Sweetness Profile

Rebaudioside J described herein can be used to modulate the sweetness profile of a sweetener. Any effective amount of rebaudioside J can be added to the product to modulate the sweetness profile of the sweetener. For example, rebaudioside J can be added in an amount sufficient to increase the overall sweetness, decrease the sweetness time-of-onset, decrease bitter, metallic and licorice off-notes, and/or improve sweet quality (e.g., roundness) of the sweetener. In certain embodiments, rebaudioside J can be added in an amount to achieve a concentration in the product ranging from about 30 ppm to about 300 ppm (e.g., about 30 ppm, about 50 ppm, about 100 ppm, about 150 ppm, about 200 ppm, about 250 ppm, about 300 ppm, or any ranges between the recited values). In other embodiments, rebaudioside J can be added in an amount to achieve a concentration in the product of at least 30 ppm, at least 50 ppm, at least 100 ppm, at least 150 ppm, at least 200 ppm, at least 250 ppm, or at least 300 ppm.

In some embodiments, the method comprises adding rebaudioside J in an effective amount to improves the overall sweetness of the product. In some embodiments, the product is a sweetened beverage comprising a nutritive sweetener. In some embodiments, the nutritive sweetener is high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS). In some embodiments, rebaudioside J is added in an amount to achieve a concentration in the product ranging from about 30 ppm to about 300 ppm. In some embodiments, rebaudioside J is added in an effective amount to improve the overall sweetness of the product by about 10%, about 20%, about 30%, or about 40% compared to that of the product before adding rebaudioside J. In some embodiments, rebaudioside J is added in a sufficient amount to increase the overall sweetness of a 6% HFCS solution so that it tastes as sweet as an 8% HFCS solution. In other words, adding rebaudioside J improves the overall sweetness by about 33%. In some embodiments, rebaudioside J is added in an amount to achieve a concentration in the product ranging from about 30 ppm to about 100 ppm.

In some embodiments, the method comprises adding rebaudioside J in an effective amount to decrease the sweetness time-of-onset of a sweetener in the product. In some embodiments, the sweetener is a high potency sweetener such as steviol glycoside, for example, rebaudioside A. In some embodiments, rebaudioside J is added in an amount to achieve a concentration in the product ranging from about 30 ppm to about 300 ppm, from about 30 ppm to about 250 ppm, from about 30 ppm to about 200 ppm, from about 30 ppm to about 150 ppm, or from about 30 ppm to about 100 ppm. In some embodiments, the sweetener (e.g., rebaudioside A) is present in the product in a concentration from about 1 ppm to about 600 ppm, from about 10 ppm to about 500 ppm, from about 50 ppm to about 400 ppm, or from about 100 ppm to about 300 ppm. In particular embodiments, the method comprises adding rebaudioside J in an effective amount to shorten the sweetness time-of-onset of the product. In some embodiments, the product is a beverage product comprising about 300 ppm of a steviol glycoside such as rebaudioside A.

In some embodiments, the method comprises adding rebaudioside J in an effective amount to decrease bitter, metallic and/or licorice off-notes of the product. In other embodiments, the method comprises adding rebaudioside J in an effective amount to improve the sugar-like roundness of the product. In some embodiments, the product is a beverage product. In some embodiments, the sweetener is a high potency sweetener such as steviol glycoside, for example, rebaudioside A. In some embodiments, rebaudioside J is added in an amount to achieve a concentration in the product ranging from about 30 ppm to about 300 ppm, from about 30 ppm to about 250 ppm, from about 30 ppm to about 200 ppm, from about 30 ppm to about 150 ppm, or from about 30 ppm to about 100 ppm. In some embodiments, the sweetener (e.g., rebaudioside) is present in the product in a concentration from about 1 ppm to about 600 ppm, from about 10 ppm to about 500 ppm, from about 50 ppm to about 400 ppm, or from about 100 ppm to about 300 ppm. In particular embodiments, the method comprises adding rebaudioside J in an amount to achieve a concentration in the product ranging from about 30 ppm to about 300 ppm. In some embodiments, the beverage product comprises about 300 ppm of a steviol glycoside such as rebaudioside A.

Method of Synthesizing Rebaudioside J

High purity rebaudioside J can be chemically synthesized using the illustrative methods disclosed herein. Suitable protecting groups can be employed in the synthesis, if needed. See Wuts, P. G. M.; Greene, T. W., “Greene's Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis”, 4th Ed., J. Wiley & Sons, NY, 2007.

In general, compounds of Formula I can be formed by removing the protecting groups from Formula II. In some embodiments, a method for preparing rebaudioside J can comprise subjecting a compound of Formula II

-   -   to deprotection conditions to form rebaudioside J, wherein PG in         Formula II is a protecting group.

The protecting group PG can be any protecting group suitable for protecting a hydroxyl group. Such protecting groups are generally known in the art. In some embodiments, the protecting group can be an acyl group, such as an acetyl group, a benzoyl group, and/or a pivaloyl group. In other embodiments, the protecting group can be a suitably substituted silyl group. See Wuts, P. G. M.; Greene, T. W., “Greene's Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis”, 4th Ed., J. Wiley & Sons, NY, 2007.

In some embodiments, the compound of Formula II can be prepared by reacting an activated sugar of Formula III

-   -   with a protected rebaudioside B in the presence of a phase         transfer catalyst, wherein R in Formula III is a leaving group.         In certain embodiments, the leaving group R can be a halogen         such as F, Cl, Br, or I. In other embodiments, the leaving group         R can be a trichloroacetimidate group.

The coupling of a protected rebaudioside compound with an activated sugar is known in the art. Exemplary procedures are also described in the Examples section.

Activated sugars and protected rebaudioside B can be prepared using methods known in the art. In some embodiments, the protected rebaudioside B can be acetylated rebaudioside B (AcRB). In some embodiments, a phase transfer catalyst can be tetra-n-butylammonium chloride (TBAC), tetra-n-butylammonium bromide (TBAB), or tetra-n-butylammonium iodide (TBAI).

To deprotect the coupling intermediate and generate rebaudioside J, known deprotection methods can be used for the protecting groups used.

Embodiments

In addition to the various embodiments described above, the present disclosure includes the following specific embodiments numbered E1 through E27. This list of embodiments is presented as an exemplary list and the application is not limited to these embodiments.

E1. Isolated rebaudioside J having a purity greater than about 85 weight percent.

E2. The isolated rebaudioside J of E1, having a purity greater than about 90 weight percent.

E3. The isolated rebaudioside J of E1, having a purity greater than about 95 weight percent.

E4. The isolated rebaudioside J of E1, having a purity greater than about 99 weight percent.

E5. The isolated rebaudioside J of E1, having a purity greater than about 99.9 weight percent.

E6. A sweetener composition comprising rebaudioside J, wherein the rebaudioside J comprises at least 5 weight percent of the sweetener composition.

E7. The sweetener composition of E6, wherein the rebaudioside J comprises at least 50 weight percent of the sweetener composition.

E8. The sweetener composition of E7, wherein the rebaudioside J comprises at least 90 weight percent of the sweetener composition.

19. The sweetener composition any one of E6-E8, further comprising a non-nutritive sweetener other than rebaudioside J.

E10. The sweetener composition of E9, wherein the non-nutritive sweetener other than rebaudioside J is selected from the group consisting of Lo Han Guo, stevioside, steviolbioside, rubusoside, dulcoside A, rebaudioside A, rebaudioside B, rebaudioside C, rebaudioside D, rebaudioside E, rebaudioside F, rebaudioside G, rebaudioside H, rebaudioside I, rebaudioside K, rebaudioside L, rebaudioside M, rebaudioside O, acesulfame-K, aspartame, neotame, saccharin, sucralose, and combinations thereof.

E11. The sweetener composition of E10, wherein the non-nutritive sweetener is selected from the group consisting of rebaudioside A, rebaudioside B, rebaudioside D, rebaudioside M, and combinations thereof.

E12. The sweetener composition of any one of E6-E8, further comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting of flavoring agents, flowing agents, coloring agents, bulking agents, sugar alcohols, rare sugars, anti-caking agents, functional ingredients, and combinations thereof.

E13. The sweetener composition of any one of E9-E11, further comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting of flavoring agents, flowing agents, coloring agents, bulking agents, sugar alcohols, rare sugars, anti-caking agents, functional ingredients, and combinations thereof.

E14. The sweetener composition of any one of E6-E13, wherein the rebaudioside J is present in an amount effective to provide a sweetness greater than or equal to about 10% sucrose.

E15. A food product comprising a sweetening amount of rebaudioside J and at least one other food ingredient.

E16. The food product of E15, wherein the food product is a noncarbonated beverage, a carbonated beverage, a frozen beverage, or a dairy beverage.

E17. A beverage product comprising: from about 1 ppm to about 10,000 ppm rebaudioside J; and water.

E18. The beverage product of E17, wherein the beverage is a coffee drink, a cola drink, a tea drink, a juice drink, a dairy drink, a sports drink, an energy drink, or a flavored water drink.

E19. The beverage product of E17 or E18, the rebaudioside J is present in an amount greater than taste recognition threshold concentration of rebaudioside J.

E20. The beverage product of any one of E17-E19, wherein the rebaudioside J is present at a concentration of from about 50 ppm to about 750 ppm.

E21. The beverage product of any one of E17-E20, further comprising at least one additional sweetener, wherein the at least one additional sweetener is a nutritive sweetener, non-nutritive sweetener other than rebaudioside J, or a combination thereof.

E22. The beverage product of E21, wherein the at least one additional sweetener is a non-nutritive sweetener and is selected from the group consisting of rebaudioside A, rebaudioside B, rebaudioside D, rebaudioside M, and combinations thereof.

E23. The beverage product of E22, wherein the at least one additional sweetener is rebaudioside B, rebaudioside D, or a combination thereof.

E24. The beverage product of E23, wherein the at least one additional sweetener is rebaudioside D, and the rebaudioside D is present in a concentration of from about 50 ppm to about 750 ppm.

E25. The beverage product of E23, wherein the at least one additional sweetener is rebaudioside B, and the rebaudioside B is present in a concentration of from about 50 ppm to about 750 ppm.

E26. A method for preparing rebaudioside J, the method comprising subjecting a compound of Formula II.

-   -   to deprotection conditions to form rebaudioside J,     -   wherein PG in Formula II is a protecting group.

E27. The method of E26, wherein the compound of Formula II is prepared by reacting a compound of Formula III

-   -   with a protected rebaudioside B in the presence of a phase         transfer catalyst, wherein R in Formula III is a leaving group.

EXAMPLES

The compositions and beverages described herein are now further detailed with reference to the following examples. These examples are provided for the purpose of illustration only and the embodiments described herein should in no way be construed as being limited to these examples. Rather, the embodiments should be construed to encompass any and all variations which become evident as a result of the teaching provided herein.

Example 1 Synthesis of Disaccharide Intermediate Compound 10

Disaccharide intermediate compound 10 was synthesized using the synthetic method shown in FIG. 1.

Step 1. Preparation of (3R,4R,5S,6S)-6-methyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-2,3,4,5-tetrayl tetraacetate (Compound 2)

To the solution of (2R,3R,4S,5S)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydroxyhexanal (compound 1) (11.20 g, 1.0 eq) and DMAP (1.06 g, 0.13 eq) in pyridine (120 mL) was added acetic anhydride (130.8 g, 19.2 eq) at 0° C. The reaction mixture was then allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred for 10 h. The mixture was concentrated under vacuum to afford a yellow oil. The oil was dissolved in ethyl acetate and the organic layer was washed with 5% citric acid, saturated NaHCO₃ aqueous solution and brine and then dried over Na₂SO₄. Filtration followed by concentration under reduced pressure gave product compound 2 (16.5 g, 67% yield) as yellow oil which was used in the next step.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ=6.00 (d, J=1.8 Hz, 1H), 5.28 (s, 1H), 5.26-5.21 (m, 1H), 5.15-5.07 (m, 1H), 3.93 (s, 1H), 2.15 (d, J=4.6 Hz, 6H), 2.05 (s, 3H), 1.99 (s, 3H), 1.23 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 3H).

Step 2. Preparation of (2R,3R,4R,5S,6S)-2-bromo-6-methyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-3,4,5-triyl triacetate (Compound 3)

To a solution of compound 2 (18.0 g, 1.0 eq) in methylene chloride (60 mL) at 19° C. was added dropwise HBr (33% in acetic acid; 53.1 g, 4.0 eq) over a period of 0.5 h and the reaction mixture was stirred at 20° C. for 3 h. The reaction mixture was poured into a mixture of ice-water (200 mL) and dichloromethane (200 mL). The organic layer was washed with water (150 mL), aqueous NaHCO₃ (180 mL) and brine (200 mL) and then dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄. Filtration followed by concentration under reduced pressure gave product compound 3 (18.0 g, 85%).

Step 3. Preparation of (2R,3R,4R,5S,6S)-2-hydroxy-6-methyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-3,4,5-triyl triacetate (Compound 4)

To the solution of compound 3 (19.70 g, 1.0 eq) in the mixture of acetone (150 mL) and H₂O (6 mL) was added Ag₂CO₃ (15.38 g, 1.0 eq) portion-wise. The mixture was stirred at 20° C. for 3 h. The mixture was then filtered through a bed of Celite and the filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure to afford the crude product which was purified by silica gel chromatography (33% ethyl acetate in petroleum ether) to give product compound 4 (11.20 g, 62% yield) as white solid.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ=5.40-5.34 (m, 1H), 5.27 (br s, 1H), 5.18-5.14 (m, 1H), 5.12-5.04 (m, 1H), 4.12 (br d, J=7.1 Hz, 1H), 3.37-3.23 (m, 1H), 2.15 (s, 3H), 2.06 (s, 3H), 2.01-1.97 (m, 3H), 1.22 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 3H).

Step 4. Preparation of (2R,3R,4R,5S,6S)-2-bromo-6-methyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-3,4,5-triyl triacetate (Compound 5)

CCl₃CN (39.8 g, 10.0 eq) was added to the solution of compound 4 (8.0 g, 1.0 eq) and DBU (0.84 g, 0.2 eq) in methylene chloride (150 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 h after which it was filtered and the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure to afford crude product. The product was isolated by column chromatography (33% ethyl acetate in petroleum ether) to give product compound 5 (6.0 g, 48% yield).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ=8.74 (s, 1H), 6.21 (d, J=1.8 Hz, 1H), 5.52-5.45 (m, 1H), 5.42-5.32 (m, 1H), 5.19 (s, 1H), 4.19-4.04 (m, 1H), 2.20 (s, 3H), 2.08 (s, 3H), 2.01 (s, 3H), 1.28 (d, J=6.3 Hz, 3H).

Step 5. Synthesis of (2R,4aR,6S,7R,8R,8aR)-8-(benzyloxy)-6-methoxy-2-phenylhexahydropyrano[3,2-d][1,3]dioxin-7-ol (Compound 6)

To benzaldehyde (98.37 g, 6.0 eq) was added ZnCl₂ (23.2 g, 1.1 eq) under vigorous stirring. After dissolution of ZnCl₂, (2R,3S,4S,5R,6S)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-6-methoxytetrahydro-2H-pyran-3,4,5-triol (compound 12) (30.0 g, 1.0 eq) was added portion-wise. The reaction mixture was stirred for 16 hours at room temperature after which the reaction mixture was diluted with MTBE (30 mL) poured slowly into a stirring in mixture of ice water (300 mL) and hexane (75 mL). After 0.5 h a precipitation resulted. The precipitate was filtered, washed with MTBE (3×100 mL) and dried under vacuum to afford residue. The residue was recrystallized from methylene chloride (150 mL) and washed with the MTBE/methylene chloride solution (3:1, 2×90 mL). The filtrate was recrystallized once more from methylene chloride (150 mL) to give product (2R,4aR,6S,7R,8R,8aS)-6-methoxy-2-phenylhexahydropyrano[3,2-d][1,3]dioxine-7,8-diol (compound 13) (30.0 g, 6.5% yield, 95% purity) as white crystals.

Compound 13 (25.98 g, 1.0 eq) and benzyl bromide (13.35 g, 1.0 eq) were dissolved in methylene chloride (1.20 L). Sodium hydroxide (6.12 g, 2.0 eq) in H₂O (100 mL) was added to the aforementioned mixture and the mixture was stirred at 60° C. for 48 h. The reaction mixture was then cooled and the two layers were separated. The organic layer was washed by water (3×300 mL), brine (400 mL) and then dried over Na₂SO₄. Solids were removed by filtration and volatiles were removed under reduced pressure to afford a crude solid which was purified by silica gel chromatography (33% ethyl acetate in petroleum ether) to give product compound 6 (3.50 g, 11.1% yield).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ=7.50 (br d, J=1.5 Hz, 2H), 7.43-7.28 (m, 8H), 5.59 (s, 1H), 4.98 (d, J=11.5 Hz, 1H), 4.85-4.77 (m, 2H), 4.31 (s, 1H), 3.89-3.71 (m, 4H), 3.66 (s, 1H), 3.46 (s, 3H), 2.32 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H).

Step 6. Preparation of (2S,3R,4R,5S,6S)-2-(((2R,4aR,6S,7R,8S,8aR)-8-(benzyloxy)-6-methoxy-2-phenylhexahydropyrano[3,2-d][1,3]dioxin-7-yl)oxy)-6-methyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-3,4,5-triyl triacetate (Compound 7)

A solution of compound 5 (6.00 g, 1.2 eq) and compound 6 (4.28 g, 1.0 eq) in methylene chloride (240.00 mL) was cooled to −50° C. after which powdered 4 Å molecular sieves (0.78 g) and TMSOTf (256 mg, 0.10 eq) were added and the reaction mixture was stirred at −50° C. for 2 h. The reaction was quenched with triethylamine (0.50 mL) and the mixture was then filtered and concentrated under vacuum to afford crude product which was purified by column chromatography (33% ethyl acetate in petroleum ether) to give product compound 7 (5.50 g, 67% yield) as white solid.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ=7.51 (dd, J=2.0, 7.5 Hz, 2H), 7.43-7.28 (m, 8H), 5.61-5.56 (m, 1H), 5.43-5.35 (m, 2H), 5.12-5.05 (m, 1H), 4.98 (d, J=1.5 Hz, 1H), 4.82 (s, 3H), 4.32-4.26 (m, 1H), 4.13 (d, J=7.3 Hz, 1H), 4.02-4.00 (m, 1H), 3.85-3.80 (m, 1H), 3.79-3.75 (m, 1H), 3.71-3.66 (m, 1H), 3.65-3.58 (m, 1H), 3.43 (s, 3H), 2.14 (s, 3H), 2.08 (s, 3H), 2.01 (s, 3H), 1.23 (d, J=6.2 Hz, 3H).

Step 7. Preparation of (2S,3R,4R,5S,6S)-2-(((2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-4,5-dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methoxytetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-yl)oxy)-6-methyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-3,4,5-triyl triacetate (Compound 8)

To a suspension of 10% Pd on carbon (500 mg) in CH₃OH (50 mL) was added compound 7 (5.50 g, 1.00 eq) and acetic acid (599.42 mg, 1.17 eq) in a mixture of CH₃OH (50.00 mL) and triethylamine (32.0 mL). The mixture was then vigorously stirred under H₂ (30 psi) at 15° C. for 36 h. The reaction mixture was filtered through CELITE and volatiles were removed under reduced pressure to afford compound 8 (4.10 g, 88% yield) as a colorless oil which was used for the next step directly.

Step 8. Preparation of (2R,3R,4S,5R,6R)-6-(acetoxymethyl)-3-(((2S,3R,4R,5S,6S)-3,4,5-triacetoxy-6-methyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)oxy)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2,4,5-triyl triacetate (Compound 9)

To the crude compound 8 (4.45 g, 1.00 eq) was added acetic anhydride (131.08 g, 160 eq), acetic acid (36 mL) and H₂SO₄ (3.21 g, 4 eq) stirred at 20° C. for 12 h. Sodium acetate (13.17 g, 82.0 eq) was added slowly with continued stirring for 15 min. The reaction mixture was filtered and the filtrate was added to a mixture of ice water (80 mL) and chloroform (100 mL). The organic layers were separated and washed three times with water, saturated NaHCO₃ solution and brine (80 mL) and then dried over Na₂SO₄. The solvent was concentrated under vacuum to afford crude product which was purified by flash chromatography (50% ethyl acetate in hexanes) to give product compound 9 (3.4 g, 6.5% yield) as a white solid.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ=6.33-6.28 (m, 1H), 5.50-5.41 (m, 1H), 5.13 (d, J=3.1 Hz, 1H), 5.08-5.02 (m, 3H), 4.89 (d, J=1.5 Hz, 1H), 4.34-4.27 (m, 1H), 4.07 (s, 2H), 3.96-3.91 (m, 1H), 3.85-3.78 (m, 1H), 2.25 (s, 3H), 2.13 (s, 3H), 2.09 (d, J=4.4 Hz, 6H), 2.05 (s, 3H), 2.04 (s, 3H), 1.99 (s, 3H), 1.19 (d, J=6.2 Hz, 3H).

Step 9. Preparation of (2S,3R,4R,5S,6S)-2-(((2S,3R,4S,5R,6R)-4,5-diacetoxy-6-(acetoxymethyl)-2-bromotetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-yl)oxy)-6-methyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-3,4,5-triyl triacetate (Compound 10)

HBr (33% in acetic acid; 3.16 g, 8.00 eq) was added dropwise over 0.5 h to a solution of compound 9 (1.00 g, 1.0 eq) in methylene chloride (25 mL) at 20° C. and the reaction mixture was stirred 3 h. The reaction mixture was poured into a mixture of ice-water (30 mL) and methylene chloride (40 mL). The organic layer was washed twice with water, once with aqueous NaHCO₃ and once with brine. The organic phase was dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄ and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated under vacuum to afford crude product which was purified by column chromatography (33% ethyl acetate in petroleum ether) to give product compound 10 (0.50 g, 46.0% yield) as white solid.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ=6.42 (d, J=4.0 Hz, 1H), 5.50 (s, 1H), 5.24-5.19 (m, 1H), 5.11 (br d, J=2.0 Hz, 3H), 4.89-4.85 (m, 1H), 4.38-4.27 (m, 2H), 4.15-4.03 (m, 2H), 3.80-3.71 (m, 1H), 2.16-1.98 (m, 18H), 1.22 (d, J=6.2 Hz, 3H). (FIG. 9)

Example 2 Preparation of Rebaudioside J

Rebaudioside J was synthesized using the synthetic scheme shown in FIG. 2.

Step 1. Preparation of Peracylated Rebaudioside J (Compound 11)

AcRB (acetylated rebaudioside B) (2.50 g, 1.0 eq) and compound 10 (1.57 g, 1.2 eq) were dissolved in the mixture of methylene chloride (40 mL) and water (40 mL) in the presence of K₂CO₃ (423 mg, 1.5 eq) and TBAB (658 mg, 1 eq). The reaction mixture was heated to reflux for 4 h, cooled to room temperature and poured into a mixture of ice-water (80 mL) and dichloromethane (150 mL). The organic layer was separated and washed three times with water, once with brine and then dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄. After filtration, the filtrate was concentrated to afford crude product from which compound 11 (1.80 g, 44% yield) was purified by column chromatography (50% ethyl acetate in petroleum ether) as white solid.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ=5.74-5.68 (m, 1H), 5.30 (s, 1H), 5.29-5.26 (m, 1H), 5.21-5.17 (m, 2H), 5.16-5.14 (m, 1H), 5.14-5.06 (m, 5H), 5.04-5.01 (m, 1H), 5.00-4.98 (m, 2H), 4.98-4,95 (m, 1H), 4.95-4.90 (m, 1H), 4.86 (s, 1H), 4.82-4.79 (m, 1H), 4.61-4.56 (m, 1H), 4.44-4.38 (m, 1H), 4.29-4.21 (m, 2H), 4.16-4.12 (m, 1H), 4.12-4.08 (m, 3H), 4.07-4.01 (m, 1H), 4.00-3.78 (m, 5H), 3.70-3.56 (m, 3H), 2.23-2.15 (m, 3H), 2.14-1.96 (m, 48H), 1.94-1.75 (m, 6H), 1.73-1.57 (m, 3H), 1.57-1.37 (m, 5H), 1.28-1.25 (m, 1H), 1.24 (s, 3H), 1.17 (d, J=6.2 Hz, 3H), 1.11-0.94 (m, 3H), 0.84 (s, 3H), 0.82-0.72 (m, 1H). (FIG. 10)

Step 2. Deprotection of Intermediate Compound 11

To a solution of compound 11 (1.20 g, 1.0 eq) in CH₃OH (12.50 mL) was added NaOCH₃ (18.2 mg, 0.50 eq). The reaction mixture was stirred at 20° C. for 3 h. 1 M aqueous HCl was then added dropwise to pH=5. Solids were then removed by filtration and the cake was washed twice with by CH₃OH and then dried under reduced pressure to afford white solid (650 mg). The solid was suspended in EtOH (5 mL) and the solid collected by filtration and washed twice with ethanol. The solid was freeze-dried in water and lyophilized to give rebaudioside J (505 mg, 65% yield) as white solid.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ=5.60-5.56 (m, 1H), 5.52-5.46 (m, 1H), 5.26 (s, 2H), 5.16-5.04 (m, 3H), 5.00 (s, 2H), 4.85 (s, 2H), 4.77-4.73 (m, 1H), 4.71 (d, J=4.4 Hz, 1H), 4.67 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 4.63 (d, J=4.4 Hz, 1H), 4.59 (t, J=5.3 Hz, 1H), 4.52-4.38 (m, 6H), 4.07-4.00 (m, 1H), 3.73-3.66 (m, 1H), 3.66-3.56 (m, 5H), 3.56-3.47 (m, 3H), 3.43 (br s, 5H), 3.26-2.99 (m, 14H), 2.98-2.88 (m, 1H), 2.19-1.93 (m, 4H), 1.88-1.74 (m, 4H), 1.73-1.62 (m, 1H), 1.53-1.41 (m, 4H), 1.39-1.29 (m, 2H), 1.17 (s, 3H), 1.12 (d, J=6.2 Hz, 3H), 1.06-0.84 (m, 4H), 0.81 (s, 3H), 0.78-0.71 (m, 1H). (FIG. 11)

LCMS (ES-API, Negative Scan) m/z=1111.8 and 555.3; retention time=2.385 minutes. (FIG. 12 and FIG. 13)

Example 3 Sensory Evaluation of Rebaudioside J

General Procedures for Benchtop Testing

Sample preparation: 4° Brix HFCS control solution was prepared by adding 50.89 grains of 78.60° Brix HFCS to 1000 g phosphoric acid base which was prepared by adding phosphoric acid dropwise into 1 L of AQUAFINA water until a pH of 3.1 was observed on a calibrated METTLER TOLEDO pH meter.

For some low soluble compounds, Branson 2800 Ultra Sonic Bath was used to dissolve the material. If any cloudiness persisted, the sample solution was passed through a paper filter. Solubility was confirmed by shining a laser pointer through the solution. If no diffraction was observed then it was assumed that the material was soluble.

Preparation of Rebaudioside A for Sensory Evaluation: 400 ppm rebaudioside A in water (pH=7) was prepared by dissolving 40 mg of rebaudioside A with stirring in 100 mL of water at room temperature.

Preparation of Sucrose for Sensory Evaluation: 6.5% sucrose in water (pH=7) was prepared by adding 6.5 g of sucrose and dissolving it in 93.5 g water (total 100 gr).

Tasting Protocol: Tasters were presented with two numbered samples and asked to note the sweet quality differences between the two samples. Tasters commented on sweetness onset, sweetness linger, overall sugar-like sweetness, and other qualities, such as bitter taste, metallic note, astringency, cooling sensation, any off-notes, and any associated flavors. Tasters were asked to assess sample odor differences and provide any descriptions. Tasters did not eat at least 1 hour before tasting and rinsed with AQUAFINA water at least 5 times between tasting each sample.

Protocol for Identifying Rebaudioside J as a Sweetener

Tasters wore noseclips and were blinded to the identity of test material. The tasters sampled each of the 400 ppm rebaudioside A and 6.5 Brix sucrose samples prior to the test material. Rebaudioside A 400 ppm was assigned a 5 on the scale as shown in FIG. 3 and sucrose 6.5% was assigned a 10. The tasters were asked to rinse their mouths 5 times between tasting each sample. The tasters were then given the test material and asked to rank the test material for sweetness on a scale of 1-10. The tasters were also asked to provide comments about bitterness, linger, flavors and any other perceptions.

Results: Rebaudioside J (400 ppm) scored 6.7 on the scale as shown in FIG. 3. The tasters also noted a lack of bitterness, sugar-like, syrupy and round characteristics for rebaudioside J.

Example 4 Sensory Testing by Trained Sensory Panelists Example 4A.Dose Response

Eight concentrations of rebaudioside J with one blank solution were evaluated (Table 1). Trained sensory panelists participated in an orientation session to familiarize themselves with sample set. Three evaluations (replicates) were obtained from each panelist for each evaluation, and a total of 30 judgments were obtained for each sample.

TABLE 1 Rebaudioside J Sample log ((mol/L) * 10⁵) ppm 1 N/A 0.00 2 0.00 11.13 3 0.25 19.78 4 0.50 35.18 5 0.75 62.56 6 1.00 111.25 7 1.25 197.83 8 1.50 351.80 9 1.75 625.61

The panelists were served 10 mL portions of each sample. A 10-minute break was taken between samples. To determine sweetness intensity, the panelists were provided sucrose-containing sweetness intensity reference samples for intensities 5, 8, and 10. For each test sample, the panelists indicated the sweetness intensity of the test sample (labeled with a 3-digit number) on a 15-point line scale.

The results in FIG. 4 show that sweetness intensity of rebaudioside J increases with increasing concentration and bitterness intensity was low and only increased slightly with increasing concentration.

Example 4B.Adaptation

Three evaluations (replicates) ere obtained from each panelist for each evaluation, and a total of 30 judgments were obtained for each sample. The samples were evaluated for sweetness and bitterness. Samples were presented blind and coded with random three-digit numbers.

Each panelists took a sip, swirled the sample in his or her mouth for 10 seconds, expectorated and subsequently rated sweetness intensity and bitterness intensity using a 15-point line scale. Panelists repeated this procedure every 30 seconds for 3 minutes. After rinsing 6 times with water, the panelists were given a new sample and that sample was evaluated using the procedure described above

The results in FIG. 5 show that rebaudioside J's sweetness intensity decreases over time while its bitterness intensity remains low. As shown in FIG. 7, rebaudioside J was less bitter than rebaudioside A.

Example 4C.Targeted Descriptive Analysis

Panelists participated in an orientation session to familiarize themselves with sample set. They reviewed aroma, taste, flavor, and texture to determine the attributes most important for describing and differentiating the samples. These attributes were used to develop the ballot for the test evaluations. Three evaluations (replicates) were obtained from each panelist for each evaluation, and a total of 30 judgments were obtained for each sample. 45 mL of each sample was served in a sequential monadic presentation. The serving order was balanced for each panelist. For each test sample, the panelists indicated the intensity of each sensory attribute (labeled with a 3-digit number) on a 15-point line scale.

As shown in FIG. 6, rebaudioside J was less bitter and exhibited less chemical/artificial taste than rebaudioside A. As shown in FIG. 8, rebaudioside J scored higher in overall impression than rebaudioside A. That is, rebaudioside J was considered more like sugar-like (“regular”) as compared to rebaudioside A.

Example 5 Evaluation of Rebaudioside J in Binary and Ternary Sweetener Blends

Rebaudioside J was evaluated in binary and ternary sweetener blends by benchtop tasters. In a blinded, forced-choice test, a significant majority (eleven) of fifteen tasters reported that a mixture of 250 ppm rebaudioside J and 50 ppm of rebaudioside D was sweeter than 250 ppm rebaudioside A and 50 ppm of rebaudioside D.

In a second blinded, forced-choice test, a significant majority (ten) of sixteen tasters reported that a mixture of 250 ppm rebaudioside J and 50 ppm of rebaudioside B was sweeter than 250 ppm rebaudioside A and 50 ppm of rebaudioside B.

In a third blinded, forced-choice test, tasters reported that a mixture of 210 ppm rebaudioside J, 60 ppm of rebaudioside B, and 30 ppm of rebaudioside D was equally sweet with a mixture of 210 ppm rebaudioside A, 60 ppm of rebaudioside B, and 30 ppm of rebaudioside D. Despite being equally sweet, the rebaudioside J, B, and D blend was described as “more sugar-like” and “less numbing” than the rebaudioside A/B/D blend. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A beverage product comprising a sweetener composition comprising a. rebaudioside J; and b. at least one non-nutritive sweetener selected from the group consisting of rebaudioside A, rebaudioside B, rebaudioside D, rebaudioside M, and combinations thereof; and c. at least one sweetness enhancer in a concentration sufficient to enhance the sweetness of rebaudioside J but in a concentration below the sweetness recognition threshold concentration of the sweetness enhancer; wherein rebaudioside J is present in the beverage product in a concentration from above about 50 ppm to about 10,000 ppm; and wherein the at least one non-nutritive sweetener is present in the beverage product in a concentration from about 50 ppm to about 400 ppm.
 2. The beverage product of claim 1 wherein the at least one non-nutritive sweetener is selected from the group consisting of rebaudioside A, rebaudioside B, rebaudioside D, and combinations thereof, and wherein the rebaudioside J and the at least one non-nutritive sweetener are present in a weight ratio of about 1:8.
 3. The beverage product of claim 1, wherein the rebaudioside J is present in a concentration from above about 50 ppm to about 750 ppm.
 4. The beverage product of claim 1, wherein the at least one non-nutritive sweetener is a combination of rebaudioside B and rebaudioside D, and wherein the rebaudioside J, rebaudioside B and rebaudioside D are present in a weight ratio of rebaudioside J to rebaudioside B to rebaudioside D of about 7:2:1.
 5. The beverage product of claim 1, wherein the at least one sweetness enhancer to enhance the sweetness of rebaudioside J is selected from the group consisting of D-psicose, D-allose, L-ribose, D-tagatose, L-glucose, L-fucose, L-arabinose, D-turanose, D-leucrose, and mixtures thereof.
 6. The beverage product of claim 1, wherein the sweetness enhancer to enhance the sweetness of rebaudioside J is selected from the group consisting of erythritol, sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, lactitol, isomalt, malitol, and mixtures thereof. 